ruling year

Principal Officer
since 2005

Keywords

Sign in or create an account to view Form(s) 990 for 2015, 2014 and 2014.Register now

EIN

43-0680952

Number

6767169254

Contact

See more addresses

Main Address

3401 W. Truman Blvd., Suite 202

Jefferson City, MO 65109 USA

Cause Area (NTEE Code)

Higher Education Institutions (B40)

IRS Filing Requirement

This organization is required to file an IRS Form 990 or 990-EZ.

Programs + Results

How does this organization make a difference?

Overview

Self-reported by organization

The goal of the Missouri Colleges Fund is to help Missouri's private colleges and universities educate well-trained, responsible graduates who will become ready-to-work employees and community leaders. Member schools prepare students to think critically, act ethically and morally, communicate effectively and engage in lifelong learning. Today in our state, unemployment/underemployment is a growing concern and too few adults hold college degrees. Many students cannot afford to pursue college degrees without assistance. The lack of access to higher education is leading toward a cycle of underachievement and economic downturn. Missouri faces a crisis as the country evolves to a knowledge-based economy. If we do not provide greater access to higher education for young people of all socioeconomic backgrounds, our citizens and businesses will be left behind. The future of our state depends on our ability to enable more of our high school graduates to further their education.

Programs

Self-reported by organization

What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?

Program 1

General Scholarship Program

Since 1952, the Missouri Colleges Fund has served private higher education in Missouri by raising funds for scholarships and unrestricted support for students of our member schools. Last year, 2015, the MCF distributed $532,599 in general and restricted scholarship gifts from corporations, foundations and individuals who believe that a values-based education serving a diverse student population is good for Missouri.

Program long term success

The results of these independent colleges and universities working together through the joint efforts of the MCF for now the 64th year, are that they were able to achieve greater success working collaboratively than they would have been able to reach acting alone. Thanks to new and increased donor gifts the Fund receipts grew by 5.2% in 2015. In 2015 we witnessed increased funding, increased student enrollment, increased scholarships and increased membership in the Fund. According to most polls, 75% of Americans think the 2008-2009 Recession was the worst economic down turn since the Great Depression. The Missouri Colleges Fund (MCF) was not immune to the downturn as were many of our loyal donors - receipts were down 22% from the previous year. Giving in 2015 was the best in the last sseven years and the future outlook for the Missouri Colleges Fund is very positive thanks to our many loyal donors.

Program success monitored by

Gift receipts are monitored monthly and compared month-to-date and year-to-date.

Program success examples

In the first six months of 2016, receipts have increased 3% compared to the same time last year. We are hopeful that this trend will continue in the second half of 2016.

Category

Education, General/Other

Population(s) Served

General Public/Unspecified

Adults

Ethnic/Racial Minorities -- General

Budget

$700,000.00

Program 2

Teachers First Scholars Program

For the past seventeen years, Missouri has been faced with a critical teacher shortage, due primarily to a record 37,000 teacher retirements. More that $5,250,000 has been raised to provide need-based financial aid to over 2,500 students who are returning to Missouri's classrooms to teach grades K-12 in special education elementary, middle school, secondary and higher education.

Program long term success

Since 1998, the TEACHERS FIRST Program has been sponsored by several outstanding members of the state's banking community, brokerage firms, telecommunications industries, accounting firms, utilities and insurance companies. Thanks to their generosity and the response from other donors, more than $5,100,000 has been raised to provide need-based financial aid to outstanding students who are returning to the classroom to teach in Missouri's elementary and secondary schools. This program has provided need-based financial aid to more than 2,500 outstanding students enrolled in teacher preparation degree programs. The programs include: child and family education, special education, elementary, middle school and secondary education. The measurement of the success of the TEACHERS FIRST Program is that we have raised over $5,100,000 dollars that has provided needs-based financial aid to more than 2,500 students and these numbers continue to grow each year of the program.

Program success monitored by

The MCF tracks the placement of education graduates for three years after graduation. This information is provided to donors of the program to track the students who are actively teaching.

Program success examples

The TEACHER FIRST Program has raised in access of $4,800,000, providing financial aid to over 22500 students enrolled in teacher preparation degree programs. One hundred percent (100%) of scholarship recipients have gone on to graduate and over 95% are currently teaching in Missouri schools. The independent colleges and universities of the MCF, working with businesses, charitable foundations and other donors, will provide a substantial benefit to teacher education at a time of documented need. America's greatest natural resource is not raw materials or even technology. It is the potential and commitment of young men and women who will become public school teachers and educate a rising generation to address the challenges of the twenty-first century. Please consider investing in education, especially these young people who will be the teachers of our children and grandchildren who will become the future leaders of our state.

Category

Education, General/Other

Population(s) Served

General Public/Unspecified

Budget

$300,000.00

Program 3

Science, Technology, Engineering & Math Scholars Program

The Science, Technology, Engineering & Math Scholars Program (STEM) is a coalition of business, education and community leaders coming together to discuss the emerging crisis of students underperforming in math, science and technology. The goal of the program is to make Missouri a national leader in these curriculum.

Program long term success

The long term success of the STEM Scholars Program will be three fold: Missouri will become a national leader in Science, Technology, Engineering & Math. MCF helps outstanding young people achieve their dream of a college education.MCF helps produce ethical, moral and socially responsible graduates who will become entry level employees, middle managers and top executive thereby adding improving the economy of Missouri.

Program success monitored by

The financial aid directors at each of the MCF member schools reports the names and bio information of the students who have received financial aid from the STEM Scholars Program.

Program success examples

Each year the MCF increases the number of college graduates with degrees in math, engineering, technology and science.

Category

Education, General/Other

Population(s) Served

General Public/Unspecified

Budget

300,000

Program 4

First Opportunity Scholars Program

During the next several decades the United States will experience a major demographic shift affecting college enrollment and corporate employment. By 2050, the population will reach nearly 400 million people, with new immigrants and their children accounting for approximately 80 percent of that growth. As the nation's demographics change, there will be a significant and increasing number of low-income, first generation, minority and new American students enrolling in college and preparing for the work force. The First Opportunity Scholars Program Initiative aims to foster increased college access and financial aid for these students.

Program long term success

The success of this program will mean that more low-income, first generation, minority and new American students will complete their college education, find rewarding productive jobs and be a positive influence in society.

Program success monitored by

The MCF tracks low-income, first generation, minority and new American students receiving financial aid from their freshman year until graduation.

Program success examples

After the first year of this program, 95 % of these students remained enrolled in college for their second year.

Category

Education, General/Other

Population(s) Served

General Public/Unspecified

Budget

150,000

Service Areas

Self-reported

Missouri

MO

Funding Needs

Increased financial support from current donors. Increased major donors. New donors. Increased public knowledge of the MCF and our mission. Increased financial support.

Accreditations

External Reviews

Source: greatnonprofits.org

The review section is powered by Great Nonprofits

Financials

Financial information is an important part of gauging the short- and long-term health of the organization.

Principal Officer

Mr. Mike Backer

BIO

Mike Backer was hired as President of the Missouri Colleges Fund, May 2005. The duties of President include overseeing the activities of the Fund including the receipts, accounting, auditing, distribution and payments from the collection and operations accounts of the Fund. The President organizes an annual major gifts campaign with the assistance of business board members, college/university presidents, chief advancement officers and volunteers. Mike brings to the Fund a wealth of experience as a banker, marketing executive, chief financial officer and fundraiser. Mike has been married to his wife, Gracia, for 45 years and has one grown son. In his spare time, Mike and Gracia both like yard work, gardening, golfing and traveling.

STATEMENT FROM THE Principal Officer

"I hope you will consider a gift to the Missouri Colleges Fund as an investment in Missouri's economic future. Your investment will help Missouri's independent colleges and universities educate well-trained, responsible graduates who will become ready-to-work employees and community leaders. The Mission of the MCF is to acquire resources to help educate students in member private liberal-arts colleges and universities. The MCF provides a convenient and effective method to make a single gift that benefits seventeen (17)colleges and universities and approximately 95,000 students. The goal of the MCF is to produce graduates who will become tomorrow's accountants, bankers, computer specialists, doctors, nurses, teachers, entry level employees, middle managers and top executives. Outstanding, deserving young people will achieve their dream of a college education. With a college diploma, they will have the opportunity to obtain higher paying jobs, better homes, better healthcare and a better life style for their family. It's a WIN, WIN. If you think the cost of Education is High, just try IGNORANCE."

Governance

BOARD CHAIR

Mr. Robert Barnes

BCN Management Consulting

Term: Jan 2013 - Dec 2016

BOARD LEADERSHIP PRACTICES

GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader
in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section,
which enables organizations and donors to transparently share information
about essential board leadership practices.
Self-reported by organization

RESPONSE NOT PROVIDED

BOARD ORIENTATION & EDUCATION

Does the board conduct a formal orientation for new board members and require all board members to sign a written agreement regarding their roles, responsibilities, and expectations?

RESPONSE NOT PROVIDED

CEO OVERSIGHT

Has the board conducted a formal, written assessment of the chief executive
within the past year?

RESPONSE NOT PROVIDED

ETHICS & TRANSPARENCY

Have the board and senior staff reviewed the conflict-of-interest policy and
completed and signed disclosure statements in the past year?

RESPONSE NOT PROVIDED

BOARD COMPOSITION

Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that
results in diversity of thought and leadership?

RESPONSE NOT PROVIDED

BOARD PERFORMANCE

Has the board conducted a formal, written self-assessment of its performance
within the past three years?